Saudi players remained in their own half during the silence (Image: Getty Images AsiaPac)

Any pre-planned tributes must be cleared by FIFA and the information would ordinarily be passed to both competing teams.

However, Adam Peacock, a presenter with Fox Sports Australia, tweeted the Asian Football Confederation approved the minute’s silence against the wishes of travelling Saudi officials. He added that the Football Federation of Australia “tried to reason” with the Saudis but were unable to persuade them to participate.

Australian football chiefs have attempted to defuse the growing outrage .

In a statement, the FFA explained: "The FFA sought agreement from the Asian Football Confederation and the Saudi national team to hold a minute's silence in memory of those lost in Saturday night's terror bombings in London and in particular the two Australian women," a spokesman said.

"Both the AFC and the Saudi team agreed that the minute of silence could be held.

"The FFA was further advised by Saudi team officials that this tradition was not in keeping with Saudi culture and they would move to their side of the field and respect our custom whilst taking their own positions on the field.

"The local broadcaster, Fox Sports, was informed of this prior to the minute's silence taking place."

The Saudi players did not disrupt the silence in any way (Image: Getty Images AsiaPac)

Australia players observe the silence (Image: The AFC Hub/Youtube)

The Australian bench (Image: The AFC Hub/Youtube)

Three terrorists mowed down pedestrians in a van before emerging with knives and stabbing revellers in the London Bridge and Borough Market area.